Garment-receptacle.



I. H. LYONS. GARMENT RECEPTAOLE.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 19, 1912.

1, 1 27,049. Patented Feb. 2, 1915.

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THE NORRIS PETERS CO. PHOTO-THO. WASHINGTON. D. C.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

IRVING H. LYONS, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGN- MENTS, TO WARDROBE BOX COMPANY, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

GARMENT-RECEPTACLE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 2, 1915.

Application filed October 19, 1912. Serial No. 726,617.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, IRVING H. Lyons, a citizen of the United States, residing in San Francisco, in the county of San Francisco and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Garment-Receptacles, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to that class of boxes which are usually made of paperboard or card-board, and which are commonly used by tailors and others for delivering suits of clothes and for analogous purposes, and are therefore sometimes designated as suit-cases and as garment-receptacles. Boxes of this class, both of the nonfolding and the foldable, or knock-down, kinds, are commonly made of two similar parts, one telescoping within the other, and when for relatively heavy garments, such as complete suits and overcoats, each of the two boxes is preferably provided with a handle for carrying the same. The present improvements are adapted for use in that class of suit-boxes, among others, which have locking devices so located that by unlocking the fastenings, in a well known manner, the boxes may be packed in a fiat or knocked-down form, for facilitating shipping and storing them.

In the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification, Figure 1 is an isometrical view of a portion of one of the parts of a suit-case or box of the class above specified, embodying my present improvements. Fig. 2 is a central sectional view transversely of an end member of the box, in the plane X-X, Fig. l, and showing a load-carrying garment-form in position for use. Fig. 3 is a View similar to Fig. 2, but showing the parts folded down nearly to a fiat form, as when the box is of the knockdown kind. Fig. 4 is a plan view of a preferred and improved construction of one kind of load-carrying garment-form adapted for use in my present improvements. Figs. 5, 6 and 7 are three diagrammatic views on a reduced scale, illustrating certain features of the invention. Fig. 8 is a plan view of the handle-member and the is a detail view of one of these lifters folded up into working position, as seen from below in Fig. 8, and as seen from the right hand in Fig. 2.

Similar characters designate like parts in all of the views.

In this class of duplex or telescoping boxes, each of the boxes, as B and C, is usually a complete box in itself, with the exception that in place of a cover therefor, one box, as B, is combined with another box, as C, which is or may be in all respects similar to B, except having a slightly greater length and width.

In the drawing, the side-member of box B is designated by S, and the corresponding side member of the box C, by S, while the respective upper end-walls or end-members are designated by E and E; but only such a portion of one end of a box is shown as deemed convenient for illustrating the present improvements, other portions being broken away.

When the box is of the knock-down or foldable kind, the corners may be detachably connected in the usual way by hooks, of which one of a well-known form is indicated at is, Fig. 1. In this kind of boxes, the line of juncture at 9, is a bending-joint; but my present improvements are equally applicable to the ordinary non-folding boxes.

In the structural arrangement of the several members and details of the complete box, as B or C, the central or primary ele ment may be considered as consisting of a carrier, preferably, in the form of a fiat or plate-form carrier-bar, as D, located within the box preferably contiguous to the sidemember S, and at one of the end-angles, 9, of the box. When the box is of the knockdown kind, the angle 9 is one of the foldinglines thereof, and hence in this instance the carrier-bar D will have its upper edge, d, located at and along such folding-line, while the bar itself extends widthwise downwardly upon, or against, the box-side S, to which the carrier or bar may be attached by gluing or otherwise throughout its length. From the carrier-bar D, the handlebars 71, and 71. extend vertically a suitable distance and are provided with the handpiece (1 In constructing the handle-member H, the handle-bars k and h, and also the handpiece, may be made each of separate pieces and these pieces be suitably aflixed to each other and to the carrier-bar D, as by gluing or riveting in a well-known manner, and with these parts all in one plane; or, those components may be made in one piece with said carrier. I prefer, however, the handlemember construction herein illustrated, in which the two handle-bars'h and h are" shown made in one piece with the transverse box-carrying faces, or carrier bar, D, while the hand-piece d is a separate piece'affixed' to the outer ends of the handle-bars after these are inserted through the slots at 8, 8.

For suspending the box, as B, from the carrier or carrier-bar D, a slot may be made at 8, in the box, along the angle or foldingline 9, of a length only sufficient for the handle to pass through, so that in assembling the parts, the carrier may be brought up into about the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2. By this arrangement, the box is suspended upon the carrier D and rests on the upper edge d of this bar when the operator takes up the receptacle by the handle in the usual manner for carrying the same. The load-carrier,which in this instance I have shown as consisting of some suitable garment-form, as M,being now connected to the carrier-bar by a joint at or near the upper edge d of said carrier-bar, both the box and the load-carrier are suspended from the carrier-bar but each separately from the other. If preferred, a middle portionof the carrier D, as for instance the portion between the dotted lines 27, Fig. 8, may be omitted, since that portion of the material does not, in the specific arrangement herein illustrated, perform any important function.

Theload-carrier shown in the drawings is'of the garment-form kind; it is designated in a general way by M, and may be of a composite formation. One suitable construction of this kind consists of the substantially rectangular form m preferably of thin card-board and of a length and width for properly coacting with the box for properly holding the goods therein; this form is combined with a pair of extensions or attached hangers N and N, for

suspending the garment-form from the bearing-faces at 2 and 2 on the upper edge of the carrier-bar D. These hangers are shown as being connected or aiiixed to the form m at the upper corners n n3, respectively, while the upper hanger-ends 4 and 5 are folded after the manner of a strap, over the upper edge of the carrier-bar D at 2 and 2, respectively, and are there each turned down like the point of a hook be tween that bar and the box-side S, (see Fig. 2) and may then be securely fixed in place by gluing or otherwise.

The foregoing mode of organizing the component members of the garment-form M, has the advantage of providing a large and clear space P, Fig; 4, extending from the upper "edge 20 of the form m upwardly to the extreme top of the box, (indicated in Fig. 4 by the line '7) thus providing for freely passing goods or portionsof a garment through that large and unobstructed space, and above the upper end of the form m while the box is being packed.

By reason of their shape, the hangers N, N, are adapted to be cut out from the sheet in an interlocking arrangement by the usual automatic self-feeding presses with only a slight waste, and so can be made of high quality at a loW cost.

VVhen' the garment-form is elevated, or advanced to its Working position, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the shank or neck portion thereof may be upheld by some suitable form-holder, preferably a plurality of two or more, directly cooperative between such shank portion and the carrier-bar D, thus avoiding the employment of any direct or operative connection between the form M and the edge-member E of the box. In practice such a shiftable form-holder is preferably carried by or operatively-supported on the carrier-bar and arranged to be turned by a swinging or bending movement, upwardly or downwardly, for bringing the holder into position for use or into its idle position as may be required. One preferred construction of this kind is herein illustrated and consists of the braces or holders 7, 7, connected by the bending joints 3, 3 at and with the opposite ends respectively of the carrier-bar, and each having a face, as e, e, which comes under the uplifted shanks N, N when said holder is swung up into position about vertical to said bar D, as indicated in Figs. 1, 2 and 9.

As a means for retaining the form-holder f in its working or uplifted position, this member is shown provided with a projection, or detaining device, r, which may enter a hole or slot, as 8, in the shank N for detachably locking the form-holder in its working position. A further feature consists of a hook, t, on one side of the projection, 1*, for engaging over the shank N, see Fig. 2. For obtaining increased security in this respect, the slots is shown inclined (and also preferably curved) relatively to the bending line 3, so the torsional resistance of the projection 1' may operate to normally throw the point of the hook toward one side of said slot and thus improve the interlocking action.

By locating the bending-line or joints 3 and 3 of the form-holders f and f, in diagonal directions,-thus inclining down-- wardly and inwardly as well shown in Fig. 8,each said holder when it is shifted to its vertical or working position (Figs. 1, 2 and 9,) has the detaining device thereof, as 1', 1", brought into position directly below the middle part of the corresponding bearingface, as 2 or 2, of the carrier-bar; thus the detaining devices, 1', 1", are swung under the hangers N and N respectively, to positions where the openings 8, s can be made in the hangers without unduly weakening the same, and without requiring the upper edge of the carrier-bar to be extended in length beyond the sides of the garment-form at the jointed end thereof.

When the box is folded up ready for use,

the garment-form, M, will remain lying flat upon the box-side, and the box may then be filled with such goods as do not require the use of a garment-form. But after the box is folded up (or previously thereto, if so desired,) the garment form M may be lifted up, from the flat position in Fig. 3 to the normally elevated position in Fig. 2; at this time the supporting braces f and f may be turned up or lifted to the vertical position shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 9, and locked in this position by the detent ends 1', r entering the holes 5*, s, respectively, in the load-carrier or form M. While the box is thus arranged for using the elevated garment-form, this member may be further lifted, temporarily, as indicated by the line 9, Fig. '2, for enabling the operator to more conveniently place garments or other goods therein.

These features are further illustrated in the three smaller views, Figs. 5, 6, and 7, which are of a diagrammatic character, and show the boxes B and C completely closed together, or fully telescoped, as more generally assembled while in use. In Fig. 5, each said box has its garment-form, (M or M respectively) in idle position, that is, lying flat against the inner surface of the box-side. In Fig. 6, the inner box B has its said form M located or advanced away from the box side S, in position for use, while the outer box 0 has its said form M in idle position. In Fig. 7, each of the forms M and M are swung inwardly away from the box side, in position for use. Also, the arrangement shown in Fig. 6 may be reversed, the form M being advanced or shifted into position for use, (as in Fig. 7 while the form M remain in idle position,

as in Fig. 5. Thus these garment-forms or load-carriers, since neither of them is connected to or depends from the inner surface of an end-member of a box, may be arranged for use in all possible combinations, without one effecting the operation of the other, and without efiecting the proper assembling of the two boxes.

In the preferred construction herein illustrated the suspension of the garment-forms from the side members of the boxes is accomplished in connection with the member D which, being aiiixed to said side member, constitutes a reinforcement for that part of the edge of the member S along which and from which the garment-form M is directly suspended. This mode and arrange ment of suspending the garment-form free of the end member E, provides a free space at 3 (see Fig. 2) between the said end member E and the inclined upper end of the elevated garment-form M; similarly, a corresponding space is formed at y (see Fig. 7) between the inclined upper part of the garment-form l 1 and the end member E of the box C. The said spaces, as y and 3 thus provide for the edge of the end-member, as E or E of a companion box, so that the two boxes may be properly assembled without one interfering with the other. When, for any reason, the member D may be omitted, and the garment-form still be secured in the position and for the mode of operation herein described, the form-holders, such as 7", f, may be separately attached to the side-member S, especially in boxes in which this side-member is of itself of ample strength and without reinforcement along the attaching end of the garment-form.

Having thus described my invention, I claim-:

1. In a garment-receptacle, the combination with a handle-member having a carrier-portion located in the plane of the handle and provided with box-carrying faces, of a box suspended upon said faces and inclosing such carrier-portion of the handle-member, and a garment-form also suspended from the box-carrying faces, whereby the box and the garment-form are each carried by and depend from the same bearing faces of the handle member, substantially as described.

2. In a garment-receptacle, the combination, with a handle-member having a plate-form carrier-portion located in the plane of the handle and provided with boxcarrying faces, of a box suspended upon said faces and inclosing said carrier-portion of the handle-member, and a load-carrying garment-form also suspended from the boxcarrying faces and having a joint contignous to the side-member of the box, whereby the garment-form is carried by and is ointed to the box-carrying faces of the handle-member, substantially as described.

8:. In a garment-receptacle, the combination with a handle-member comprising a carrier-bar provided with box-carrying faces, and with a box suspended upon said faces and inclosing the carrier-bar, and having this bar affixed to the side-member of the box and contiguous to one end thereof, of a garment-form also suspended from and jointed at the box-carrying faces, and means for holding the garment-form away from the side-member of the box, substantially as described.

4:. In a garment-receptacle, the combination with a carrier-bar, of a box carried on the carrier-bar and having this bar located within and along one angle of the box, a garment-form suspended from the carrierbar by a jointed attachment to and along one edge thereof, form-holder means located and operable for upholding and releasing the elevated garment-form, and a detaining device on the form-holder arranged for engaging the uplifted garment-form, whereby to detachably lock the form-holder in its working position, substantially as described.

5. In a garment-receptacle, the combination with a carrier and with a box carried on the carrier and having this carrier located and secured within the box and adjacent one end thereof, of a garment-form suspended from the carrier by a jointed connection, and a plurality of shiftable formholders located at different points longitudinally of the carrier, for upholding and releasing the garment-form at a plurality of points along and near the jointed connection, substantially as described.

6. In a garment-receptacle, the combination with a carrier-bar, of a box carried on the carrier-bar and having this bar located within the box and adjacent one end thereof,- and a garment-form suspendedfrom the carrier-bar by a jointed connection with the upper edge of the carrier-bar and contiguous to the end of the box, and two shiftable and foldable form-holders supported, respectively, at opposite ends of the carrierbar and each having a jointed connection therewith, and located for upholding and releasing the garment-form at two points near the opposite sides, respectively, thereof, substantially as described. o

7. In a garment-receptacle, the combination with a carrier, and with a box carried on the carrier and having this carrier located within the box and secured to the side-member and adjacent one end thereof, of a garment-form suspended from the carrier by a jointed connection and having a hook-receiving slot, and foldable forniholders, located at the inner surface of the side-member of the box and adjacent to the ends of the carrier, and having a hook on a form-holder arranged for engaging in the said slot of the garment-form, whereby to uphold and-lock, and then to unlock and release the garment-form, substantially as described.

8. In a garment-receptacle, the combination with a carrier, and with a box carried on the carrier and having this carrier located and secured within the box and adj acent one end thereof, of a garment-form suspended from the carrier by a jointed connection, and foldable form-holders consisting of endwise extensions of the carrier-and having jointed connection therewith, for upholding and releasing the substantially as described.

9. In agarment-receptacle, the combination with a carrier, and with a box carried .on the carrier and having this carrier located and secured within the box and along one end thereof, of a garment-form suspendedifrom the carrier by a jointed connection, and two foldable form-holders consisting of endwise extensions of'the opposite ends respectively, of the carrier, and having jointed connection therewith on diagonally-disposed bending-lines which incline downwardly and inwardly, substantially as described,

10. Ina garment-receptacle comprising a garment-form,

pair of telescoping boxes, the, combination with each of the boxes, of a carrier located in the box and having the box suspended fromthe carrier and thus secured to the side member of the box, a garment-form for each box ofthe receptacle and suspended from the carrier, and form-holder means in each box for upholding and releasing the garment-form, both the garment-form and the form-holder of each said box beinglocated free of the end member of the box,

whereby each of the two garment-forms is adapted to be advanced to and retracted from its working position independently of the other box and garment-form, substantially as described.

11. In a garment-receptacle comprising a pair of telescoping boxes, the combination with each of the boxes, of ahandle-member comprising a carrier located in the plane of the handle and having the box suspended.

from the. carrier and having the carrier inclosed within the box and secured to the side-member of the box; a garment-form for each box of the receptacle and suspended from the carrier, and form-holder means in each box operatively located between the garment-form and the side-member of the box for upholding and releasing the garment-form, both the garment-form and the form-holder of each said box being located free of the end member of the box, whereby each of the two telescoping boxes is provided with a garment-form adapted to be advanced to and retracted from its working position independently of the other box and garment-form.

12. In a garment-receptacle, the combination with a box adapted for use as one box in a pair of telescopic boxes, of suspension means adjacent the side-member of the box along the end thereof and free of the endmember of the box, a garment-form secured to said suspension means, and form-holder means operatively located between the gar- 15 ment-form and the side member of the box for upholding and releasing the garmentform and located tree of the end-member of the box, substantially as described.

IRVING H. LYONS.

Witnesses:

C. DUCAS, FRED. J. DOLE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained. for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

